Sergei Bobrovsky continued his dominance between the pipes, stopping all 25 shots he faced to earn his 49th career shutout as the Florida Panthers edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 in overtime on Thursday night. Aleksander Barkov delivered the game-winner, scoring a power-play goal just 29 seconds into the extra frame.
The victory snapped Florida’s two-game road losing streak and kept the Panthers even with the Toronto Maple Leafs atop the Atlantic Division. It also marked Florida’s eighth consecutive win over Columbus, a streak dating back to Dec. 13, 2022.
Bobrovsky was flawless in net, securing his second straight shutout and his fifth of the season. His performance was especially crucial in the second period, where he stopped 12 shots to keep the game scoreless.
The game’s pivotal moment came late in regulation when Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko accidentally cleared the puck over the glass in the defensive zone, resulting in a delay-of-game penalty with just 29.7 seconds left. The Panthers capitalized early in overtime, with Barkov finding the back of the net on the power play to secure the win.
Elvis Merzlikins, returning to the Blue Jackets’ lineup after missing two games for the birth of his second child, was impressive in net, making 27 saves. Columbus, however, suffered its fifth straight loss, further diminishing its chances in the Eastern Conference wild-card race.
The Blue Jackets nearly took the lead in the third period when captain Boone Jenner scored what appeared to be a go-ahead goal, but after review, officials ruled that the puck had been kicked into the net, keeping the game tied.
Bobrovsky was outstanding, making key saves throughout, including 12 in the second period, to keep Columbus off the board. The Blue Jackets played with urgency, knowing their playoff hopes were dwindling, but their effort wasn’t enough to overcome Florida’s defense and goaltending.
Bobrovsky has now recorded four shutouts in 16 starts against his former team, continuing to dominate Columbus since leaving in 2019.
The Panthers continue their road trip Saturday, visiting the Washington Capitals. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets will look to snap their losing streak when they travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Friday night.
